Top Stromboid Conchs Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Stromboid conchs, a group of large marine gastropod mollusks in the family Strombidae, are prized for their edible meat and ornate shells. The queen conch (Lobatus gigas), native to the Caribbean and western Atlantic, is the most commercially important species, but other stromboids like the dog conch (Laevistrombus canarium) and spider conch (Lambis spp.) are also harvested in the Indo-Pacific region. Major fishing countries for stromboid conchs not elsewhere included (NEI) in standard statistics are found across the Caribbean (notably the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic), as well as in Southeast Asia (such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand). These countries support both artisanal and commercial fisheries, with conch meat serving as a local delicacy and export product, while shells are sold for ornamental purposes. Overfishing and habitat loss have led to population declines in some areas, prompting management measures and trade regulations, particularly for the queen conch, which is listed under CITES Appendix II.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.